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J. VON SERKEY. WIRE NAIL MACHINE.

No. 448,620. Patented Mar. 17, 1891.

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Patented Mar. 17, 1891.

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WIRE NAIL MAGHINE.

No. 448,620. Patented Mar. 17, 1891.

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J. VON SERKEY.

WIRE NAIL MACHINE.

No. 448,620. Patented Mala-17,1891.

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No. 448,620. Patented Mar. 17, 1891.

(No Model.) 11 Sheets-Sheet 10.

J. VON SERKEY; WIRE NAIL MAGHINE.

No. 448,620. Patented. Mar. 17, 1891.

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J. VON SERKEY. 'WIRE NAIL MACHINE.

No. 448,620. Patented Mar. 17, 1891.

rrn- STATES AIFNT FFICE.

JOSEPH VON SERKEY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF THREE-FOURTHS TO ROOKIVELL KING, OF SAME PLACE.

IRE-NAIL iViACl-HNE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 448,620, dated March 1'7, 1891.

Application filed June 13, 1890.

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOSEPH VON SERKEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in ire-Nail Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvementin the class of machines for manufacturing nails from wire in which the wire is straightened and fed automatically in desired lengths to the cutting-dies, there severed, (and pointed,) and then held for the upsetting operation by the reciprocating header to form the head for the next succeeding length to be fed and sev' ered (and pointed) to produce a nail, the various mechanisms for performing the several operations being actuated in proper succession from the rotary power-shaft; and my improvement relates particularly to the kind of ma chine in the above-named class in which the wire straightening and feeding devices, and also, if employed, the barbing or roughening mechanism, are supported on a reciprocating carriage moved backward during the heading operation and while the wire is being held or clamped for the same to produce the barbing and straightening of the wire before the feeding.

Objects of my invention are to enable the machine to work continuously and produce nails rapidly without overheating the parts, which I accomplish by causing the backward movement of the straightening, feeding, and (when employed) barbing mechanisms (by which such friction strain is occasioned as to induce great heating of the parts if caused to operate with great rapidity) to be produced much more slowly than the feeding of the wire by the subsequent forward movement of the carriage supporting those mechanisms, and to provide a more durable and otherwise better machine for the purpose than any hitherto provided, both as to its general construction as an entirety and as to parts thereof.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved machine, shown with the wire to be manufactured by it into nails in a coil supported on areel of novel construction and which may form an attachment erial No. 855,378- (No model.)

for my machine; Fig. 2, a side view of the machine as regarded from the lower end of the longer side of the sheet containing Fig. 1; Fig. 3, a view like that shown in Fig. 2, but presenting the opposite side of the machine provided with the angular rocking-head detail for producing the quick movement of the feed and the slow movement for straightening and bathing; Fig. 3, a side view showing the angular rocking-head detail in its highest position; Fig. 3", a similar view of the same in itslowcst position; Fig. 4, a broken longitudinal section of the machine,showing it in its preferred position of inclination, whereby the reciprocating carriage and the header tend to operate by their own gravity, the former to etfect the straightening of the wire, or straightening and barbing, and the latter to upset the wire to form the head; Fig. 5, a section taken at the line 5 of Fig. 2 and viewed in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 6, a section taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 7, a section taken at the line 7 of Fig. 2 and viewed in the direction of the arrow to show the holding-dies, the cutting-dies, and the sliding heads carrying them being removed. Figs. 8 and 9 are sections taken, respectively, on the lines 8 8 and 9 9 of Fig. 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing myimproved reel; Fig. 11, a section taken on the line 11 of Fig. 10 and viewed in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 12, a broken View in perspective of a detail of the reel. Figs. 13 and 14 showperspective views presenting diiferent ends of the sliding-head detail for the cutting and pointing dies. Figs. 15 to 17, in elusive, are similar views of other details of the cutting and pointing die mechanism. Fig. 18 is a section taken on the line 18 of Fig. 9 and viewed in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 19, an enlarged view in front elevation of the upper holding or clamping die detached from the machine; Fig. 20, a side view of the same; Fig. 21, a section taken on the line 21 of Fig. 19 and viewed in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 22, a section taken on the line 22 of Fig. 19 and viewed in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 23, a diagrammatic View representing the guiding-surface, straightened out and enlarged, of one of the knife-operating cams on the power-shaft; Fig. 24, a plan view of the straightening, feed, and barbing mechanisms on the reciprocating carriage as shown in Fig. 1, but enlarged; Fig. 25, a side view of the same regarded from the side at the upper en d of the sheet; Fig. 26, a section taken on the line 20 26 of Fig. 24: and viewed in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 27, a section taken on the line 27 9 of Fig. 26 and viewed in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 28, a perspective view of a detail; Fig 29,asection taken on the line 29 of Fig. 27 and viewed in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 30, a perspective view of the dovetailed slide detail carrying a horizontally-disposed wirestraightening roller; Fig. 31, a broken perspective view of a detail; Fig. 82, a view in rear elevation of a wire-straightening device on the reciprocating carriage; Fig. 33, a section taken at the line 33 of Fig. 32 and viewed in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 31-, a perspective sectional view of the carriagebed, the section being taken on the line 3% of Fig. 25' and viewed in the direction of the arrow; and Figs. 35 and 36 are perspective views of details.

As illustrated, the operating parts occupy the relative positions they assume just after a length of wire for a nail has been fed from the reel and severed by the cutting-dies and the latter have been part way retracted or separated,theclamping-diestightenedagainst the end of the coil of wire, the carriage supporting the feeding or barbing, and the straightening-rollers moved backwardthat is, toward the reel-on the length of wire therefrom inserted into the machine, and the header is being advanced to upset the end of the wire so inserted and form the head for the next nail to be produced.

A is the bed of the machine, having; extended horizontally from its feed end (hereinafter referred to throughout the description as the rear end of the machine) two parallel guide-rods r r for the reciprocating carriage A, supporting the straightening and the barbing and feeding mechanisms, hereinafter more definitely described.

13 is the rotary power or driving shaft supported in suitable bearings on the bed A. near the forward end of the machine (or that opposite the feed end) and formed with a crank n, Fig. 4:, near its center. On the shaft 13, at opposite sides of the crank u, are socured, to revolve with the shaft, collars L or bosses in pairs, the members of which are separated bya space caused to incline around the shaft by the opposing contrarily-inclined surfaces of the collars, the space between one pair inclining in one direction while that be tween the other inclines in the contrary direction, the two said spaces affording, respectively, cams in the form of cam-grooves O and C, the line of each of which, if straightened out, would be as represented in Fig. 23, thus differing in inclination on opposite sides of a shorter slightly-inclined line 1", forming the line at which the cam actuates a severing-die to cut the wire by a gradually-deepening cut, owing to the slight inclination of the line 1 thus preventing sudden chopping off of the wire and consequent strain of the machine.

On one end of the shaft B is an eccentric y, having its horizontally-outward-extending crank-pin 3 (see particularly Fig. 3) provided with a washer g confined to slide in a guideway formed in one side 9 of a two-sided angle-bar D, the two sides p and p of which form a right angle and may be connected by a hypotenuse bar 11 and the angle-bar D is pivoted at its angle to render it a rocking head to an arm p extending horizontally from a side of the bed A. In the side p of the rocking angle-head D is a threaded bolt 1)", extendinglengthwise therein and confined against longitudinal movement in turning it, which may be done with a wrench applied to its head, and on the bolt p in a guide afforded between the longitudinal margins of the side 12 is a nut 13 having pivotally secured to its outer side one end of a link D. From the nut p the link D extends along a side of the machine toward its rear end, where it is pivotally connected with one end of a horizontally-disposed lever D fulcrumed between its extremities to the bed A and joined at its opposite end, in the manner hereinafter described, to the carriage A.

The carriage A, which should be formed in one piece, is of general rectangular form as to its base a, (see Fig. 3%,) with perforated ears a and 16 extending downward and outward from and forming a pair on each side near the opposite ends thereof, with their perforations in the opposing members of the respective pairs in line with each other to admit a guide-rod 7 through each. At the end of the carriage-bed to nearest the wiresupply it is provided with heads '6 15', extending lengthwise from the edge of such end to opposite sides of the center thereof, where it is recessed at t to receive between the heads i t a vcrtically-disposed pivotal wire-straightening attachment E, (sec particularly Figs. 32 and 36,) hereinafter described, the heads i It being longitudinally perforated to contain the journals for pivotally supporting the attachment E, in order that it may be turned for its adjustment through a vertical plane.

The straightening attachment E comprises in its preferred form a rectangular oblong frame 1, (see Fig. 36,) supported in normallyvertical position in the recess 25 in the edge of the carriagebed It between the heads 15' on journals 5 and s, extending from opposite sides of the frame midway between its ends through the longitudinal perforations in the heads, which thus form journal-bearings. Inside the frame are longitudinal guidegrooves for slidingly-adjustable journal-bearings 5* and 8 carrying straightening-rellers s and s, which should be centrally grooved around i x ziiz peripheries, as shown, and may ITO be adjusted with reference to each other by set-screws 3", extending against the roller journal-bearings through the ends of the frame (one, the upper, of which ends should be removable, as shown, to permit ready access, as for removal or adjustment of the parts within the frame) and provided with jam-nuts .9 On the projecting end of the journal 3 is secured a handle 8 extending across a stationary vertically-disposed'segmental rack 3 engaged normally by a springpawl 8 (see Fig. 24) on the handle.

Farther along on the bed to of the carriage are journaled the pair of stationary horizontally-disposed wire-straightening rollers q, extending at their grooved peripheries into the path of the wire V at one side thereof, and on the opposite side of the path of the feed between the rollers q is a similar roller (1 in a slidingly-adj ustable bearingq confined in a dovetailed guide-groove 1, extending transversely across the carriage-bed. The preferred form of the sliding bearing (1 is most clearly illustrated in Fig. 30. In its extension q is a rectangular opening Q5, in which is confined the head q, having an eccentric pivot-pin g of a l1orizontally-disposed handle g (see Fig. 31) provided on its under side with a spring-pawl Q9 to hold the lever wherever adjusted by engagement with a stationary horizontal segmental rack (210. As will readily be seen, turning the handle (1 actuates the eccentric head q to forcethe sliding bearing (1 into closer or less close relation (according to the direction of turning the handle) with the rollers q, according to requirement, for straightening the wire in the direction lateral to that of its feed.

Still farther along on the carriage-bed it I provide for use when the nails manufactured by the machine are, as is quite commonlythe case, to be notched or barbed on their shank portions the horizontally-disposed relatively adjustable rollers 0 0, serrated transversely to form straight parallel teeth across their even peripheries entirely around the rollers. These rollers are journaled on opposite sides of the wire-feed line in bifurcated sliding bearings 0', (see Fig. 35,) confined in a groove 0 extending straight across the bed a, and at the ends of which the sides of the bed are built out into box-shaped bearings 0 perforated in their ends, which are extended upward into tongues 0 having seats 0 behind them. The sliding bearings o, carrying the barbing-rollers 0, are confined in the groove 0 by a rectangular collar 0", fitting around the tongues 0 on the seats 0", and set-screws 0 fastened by jam-nuts 0 extend through the perforated ends of the bearings 0" against the sliding rolleubearin gs o, and afford means for adjusting them in the groove 0 with relation to each other. The collar 0 is firmly held in place by the outward spring in the tongues produced by the strain of the setscrews forced against the bearings 0', and it afiords desirable means for its purpose, particularl y by reason of the readiness with which it may be removed to permit access to the barbing-rollers o to enable them to be withdrawn from the machine when not used or for sharpening their teeth or substituting other rollers for them, the regular form of the serrated peripheries permitting ready sharpening of the barbing-teeth.

At the end of the carriage-bed it, provided with the perforated ears a are the verticallydisposed rollers n n, which, if employed for barbin g the nails, are serrated like the rollers 0. The rollers n are supported, similarly to the vertically-disposed straightening-rollers s s, in a frame 77., shown (see Fig. 26) in the form of a solid block having a vertical rectangular central recess formed with guides for journal-bearings it? (see Fig. 27) for the rollers 77., adjustable by means of the setscrews of, secured by jam-nuts 'n and extending against the bearings a through the ends of the supporting-frame, the upper of which ends should be in the form of a removable cross-head, as shown, to permit ready access to and adj r1st,;ne11t of the rollers. For the purpose of increasing the frictional resistance against the rotation of the upper of the two rollers 91 and to prevent slipping thereof against the resist-ance of the wire while feed ing, I confine against its opposite sides dogs or, pivoted to the front side of the frame at between their extremities and connected at their upper ends by a screw at, provided with a n utn the turning of which adjusts the upper ends of the dogs with relation to each other, and thereby regulates the degree of pressure of the dogs at their lower ends against the said wheel n.

At one side of the block or frame 12' (that presented in Fig.26) itis somewhat enlarged, as shown at m in Fig. 27, and provided with a recess m deeper than a hollow head m, Fig. 28, confined within it and having its outer side formed with a flaring opening m assuming the form of a cylinder m as it extends into the head. The head on receives the end of the lever D adapted in form to fit its recess.

The operation of the parts thus far described is as follows: As already stated, the relative positions in which the nail-producing parts are shown in the drawings (see particularly Fig. 1) present the clampingdies as proceeding to clamp the wire (from which a section has been previously severed by the cutting and pointing dies, which, as shown, are undergoing separation) to firmly grip it against the stroke of the reciprocating header, which, as shown, is in process of advancing to perform its function. All these last-named parts and their operations are hereinafter more definitely described, though it will be understood that they are all actuated by the rotation of the power-shaftB in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1 and suitably timed as to the order of theiroperations by their connections therewith. The carriage A, therefore, with the devices it supports, having been advanced (to feed the length of wire cut off, as stated) by the gripping effect upon it of the barbing-rollcrs 0 n, which form the feed-rollers in the advancing movement of the carriage, is now moving backward, and in its backward movement the barbing-rollers throughout the length of stroke of the carriage A are barbing or indenting the wire (held, as aforesaid, by clamping-dies near the end from which a section has previously been severed) and the rollers q and s s are straightening it, the frame of the last-named rollers being adjusted to the angle required for insuring the straightening in a vertical direction of the wire. This backward movement of the carriage, which is materially assisted byits own weight when inclined, as shown in Fig. -l-, is about one-third as fast (and thus comparatively slow) as its forward or feeding movement, the differencein speed bein due to theaction of the pivotal vertically-rocking angular head D, Fig. 33. This, with its immediately-actuating parts in the relative positions presented in the last-named figure, is obviously turned or rocked on its pivot 1), Fig. 1, in an upward (as to the arm p) and forward (as to the arm 1)) direction till the eccentric 1 and its pin g with the rotation of the shaft 1; assume a position (see Fig. 3") wherein the crank-pin 1/ is at the angle of a right-angle triangle drawn from the center of shaft l3 to the center of the pivot p, in moving toward which position the pin y gradually slides the washer p inward or in the direction toward the pivotcenter f in its guideway. provided in the arm 15) of the rocking head. This upward and forward movement of the head I), which proceeds during about three-fourths of each rotation of the shaft 13, draws backward on the link I), throwing the end of the lever I) engaging with the carriage in the opposite direction, and consequently also the carriage in such opposite or backward direction, to barb and straighten the wire.

It will now be understood that the purpose of forming the recess m deeper than the hollow head m is to permit the latter to have some inward play in its containing recess, in order to yield as the length of the radius between the head in and the pivot-center of the lever D changes in the movements of the lever toward and from its intermediate position at a right angle to the carriage. Thus with the three-quarters rotation of the eccentric 7 and pin y, wherein they rock the head I), as stated, with the result described, the motion of such head is considerably slower (about one-third as fast) than when the said eccentric and pin are performing the other quarter of their revolution, where they are much nearer the pivot-centerpof the rocking head and cause the latter to rock in the opposite downward and backward (that is, down as to the arm 1) and backward as to the arm 7) direction much faster than it was oppositely turned, thereby producing, compared with the rearward movement of the carriage A, a much more rapid forward movement for effecting the feed of the wire TV, wherein there is very much less friction in the passage of the wire than in the barbing and straightening thereof, since inasmuch as the holding-dies, as will hereinafter more clearly appear, are open when the wire is fed, the feed is free and attended vith very little friction to heat the parts, which may therefore be moved rapidly, while there is great friction in the operations of the barbing and straightening rollers, the heating effect of which is materially reduced by the comparatively slow movement with which their operations are produced. A further advantage afforded by the construction of this feature of my improved machine is due to the provision for adjusting the nut 1f on its screw-stem p nearer to or farther from the pivot-center of the head D to shorten orlengthen accurately in the desired degree the stroke of the arm l)-, and through the latter that of the carriage A, whereby while the extent of the reciprocal rotation of the washer in its guide-arm 1) remains necessarily unaltered, whatever the length of wire to be fed for each nail, the stroke of the carriage is longer or shorter,according to such length to be fed, which may be readily and quickly regulated without materially interfering with the operation of the machine by lowering or raising the nut p on its screw-stem p. These functions of my machine--namely, of producing rapid feed and comparatively slow straightening and barbing of the wire to be cut and formed into nails of any desired lengtheonstitute a very important feature of my improvement, since thereby the machine may be operated to produce any desired length of nail without stoppage, as for cooling and without injury, for a comparatively long time, and I wish, therefore, to be understood as claiming this feature of my improvement as broadly as possible.

Adjacent to the inner end of the carriage A, and supported on the bed A of the machine, is the cutting or cutting and pointing die mechanism, details of which are most clearly illustrated in Figs. 13 to 18, inclusive, of the drawings.

At opposite sides of a raised rigid rectangular portion A Fig. (3, of the bed A are the rectangular stems Z, provided with perforations Z, and extending transversely from the backs Z of their hollow heads I, formed with flanges Z converging from the opposite edges of the said backs (see Fig. ll) and affording containing sockets for the cut ing and pointing die-blocks and along the upper and lower outer edges of the stems Z, are formed offsets Z' Plates 7;, (see Fig. 17,) each perforated centrally through its body-portion, as shown at if, are provided with lateral flanges is, extending from one side, and top and bottom flanges [0 extending horizontally from the opposite side of the said body portion. The

plates 7.: are adjusted against the stems 7 of the heads 1, with their flanges 7i? fitting into the offsets Z' of the stems, whereby the latter are embraced by the plates 7.5, and the perforations Z and it? are caused to coincide with each other, and the flanges 7ron the opposite outer sides of the plates form guide-recesses, into which fit offsets if in the edges of the inner sides of bearing-plates i, Fig. 16, having central perforations t coinciding with, but smaller in diameter than, the perforations Z and 7.7 the bearing-plates i forming guides for the plates 7; and being provided at their bases with outward extending perforated flanges through which they are fastened to the base A. The parts Z, in, and f are secured laterallytogetherbybolts 2'', extended through the aforesaid coincident perforations therein into the part A of the bed A, of which perforations those in the parts Z and 7e being of greater diameter than the bolts, permit the parts Z and [ii to be vertically adjusted (on loosening the set-screws i extending verticall y through the stems Z against the bed A to a limited degree, which effects adjustment in a vertical direction of the cutting and pointing dies F, for which provision is also made to adjust them on the bed A nearer to and farther from the header by means of setscrews 2', extending through suitable nuts 1' into the ends of the stems Z.

G G are the blocks for supporting the cutting and pointing dies F, conforming in shape to that-of their bearing-heads Z, in which they fit in a manner to permit of their beingtherein readily reciprocated longitudinally. Each block G is provided toward the outer end and on its front side with a recess h, which may be formed by lugs h, and itcontains longitudinally extending inward from one end an opening or socket 71.2 to receive the die F, and which is continued to the opposite end of the block as a threaded opening or not for a setscrew 7L3, bearing against the inner end of the die (which is further held transversely by a set-screw h") and by which to regulate the extent of projection thereof at the cutting end beyond the end of its block G. Between the recess 7L and the end of the die-block in which the die is contained a beveled backward-inclining opening h, Fig. 18, is provided to extend from the face of the die-block into the socket 72. This construction forms an important feature in my improved machine, since it renders without requiring the block G to be dislodged or even disturbed ready removal and insertion of a die F by advancin g it till its rear end passes the correspond ing beveled end of the opening h, when (the set-screw 7L" being loosened) it may be withdrawn lengthwise in an inclined position, as

indicated by the dotted representation in Fig. 18, and it may obviously be also readily inserted and adjusted into position through the opening 7r.

H H, Fig. 1, are bent levers fulcrumed at their bends upon posts H, extending upward heads g, which enter the recesses h in the dieblocks G, and at the extremities of their longer arms the levers H are provided with rotary thimbles or rollers g, which extend into and conform to the cam-grooves O C between the collars 'u on the driving-shaft, and which, preferably, have the tapering form illustrated, whereby they may be continually rotated without slipping. For the purpose of strength the posts II should be connected at their upper ends by a cross-bar g affording at its center location for a horizontal socket Fig. 8.

The upward-converging guide-channel A which should be lined along its sides with metal gibs 2 2 (see Fig. 8) contains. so much of a sliding head I as conforms in shape to it, but a portion of which projects upward in rectangular form beyond the guide-channel, forming offsets 3 3, over which extend to confine the gibs 2 2 plates 4: 4:, fastened to the said offsets. From the center of its forward end the head I is connected pivota-lly, as in the manner clearly shown in Fig. l, by a link to, with the crank in on the drivingshaft B,and the head Iextends from the rear end of the sliding head I, being confined in a socket therein by a set-screw 5 and adjustable lengthwise by means of a nut (3. On the outer end of the head I is a plate I having screw-holes I Fig. 5, near its opposite ends, through which to secure flatwise against it a similar plate 1*, having screw-holes I to coincide with the screw-holes I but of greater diameter than the latter to receive the securing-bolts I. The plate I is on the end of a socket 1 in which is secured the headingtool proper 1 :y having the bolt-holes I larger than the bolt-holes 1 on loosening the bolts the heading-tool 1 may be readily adjusted in any direction ,transversely of the head I to bring it into alignment with and center it with reference to wire of any thickness being fed for the heading operation.

Adjacent to and just behind the cutting and pointing dies F are the vertically-extending holding or clamping dies K and K, (see Fig. 9,) the first named being most clearly shown in Figs. 19 to 22, inclusive. The upper die K is vertically adjustable, but stationary in its adjusted position, while the lower K is rendered elastically yielding verti oally by suitable mechanism hereinafter described.

In the front side, centrally, of the raised portion A of the bed A is a vertical rectangw lar guide recess f, extending downward through the bed A and surmounted by an overhanging stationary nut f. In the upper part of the recessfor part above the line of feed of the wire \V, and extending to or nearly to thelatter, is a rectangular plate f having a stationary nut f projecting from its front side, near the upper end a rigid guide-bearing f, similarly projecting below the said nut, and near its lowerend a rigid bearingj', recessed vertically along its front side to admit the die K, and horizontally between its extremities to admit a clamp-socket 1", fastened in place by a screw f extending into it from the back of the platef and countersunk therein, the clamp having slight horizontal play to adjust it in an inward or an outward direction with reference to its bearingf' by turning the countersunk screw f in the proper direction. The plate f is secured in the recess f by means of a boltf Fig. 4, passed horizontally into it from behind through an opening f in the bed A of somewhat greater diameter than the bolt to permit to the platef slight vertical play for its adjustment. A screw f extends in the uutf through the guide-bearing f on opposite sides of which, respectively, it is provided with a jam nut 8 and head 7. A cap-plate f projects from the top of the plate f over the nut to afford a bearing for a set-screw f in the nut f. The holding-die K, whichI prefer to providein rectangular form in crosssection, abuts at its upper end against the head 7, whence it passes through the clampsocket f, wherein it is held against falling by suitably tightening the screw f By the foregoing construction the die K may readily to the slight extent required be adjusted vertically by manipulating the bolt f and set-screwf to raise or lower the plate f in the recessf, and removal or resetting of the die K may be readily performed on withdrawing the bolt f to permit. the plate 1" to be withdrawn from the recess f and access to the clamp-screw f to be had for loosening the die to enable it to be moved or removed.

The lower holding-die ii is supported in line with the die K (like which it is formed) on a plate 0, confined to slide vertically in the lower part of the reccssf, and having suitable bearings (which maybe similar, as shown, to those on the plate f) for the die K, the supporting mechanism of which is sustained by a crank-arm c, (see Fig. 2,) having a stud e on its under side entering an interposed coucaved bearing-block c The crank-arm e projects from between the ends of a rockshaft e below a socket c" in the base of the bed A, containing a spring 6", bearing against a stud e, extending into the socket from near the free end of the crank-arm.

An arm L, secured at one end to an end of the rock-shaft c", extends along a side of the machine, with its opposite end carrying a roller e in contact with a cam I. on the powershaft 13, having on its periphery three camsurfaees (I, d, and (1 straight, as shown, where they join each other to avoid pounding, the first being nearest the center ii, the second farther, and the last farthest from the said center and operating, respectively, in the rotation of the driving-shaft by their successive engagement with the free end of the arm L first to permit the die Ii to be lowered to the lowest limit of its play by the action of the spring against the arm and thereby fully open the holdiug-dies, then to raise the lower die K far enough to cause it to clamp the wire between it and its companion die K with sufficient firm ness to hold it against withdrawal by the friction upon it of the barbing and the straightening rollers in the backward movement of the carriage A, and, thirdly, to raise the said lower die still farther and clamp the wire with greater tirmn ess, capable of withstanding the stroke of the header.

M, Fig. 10, is the reel for supporting the coil of wire to be fed to the machine. I prefer that the reel M shall involve the construction illustrated, though any other suitable form of reel may be used, and I do not wish to be understood as limiting my improved form of reel to any particular wire-nail machine. In fact, the downward inclination of the machine toward the carriage end thereof, if so constructed, as I prefer it shall be, would render the employment with it of my improved reel of less importance.

The reel M illustrated is designed to hold the coil of wire in place, and particularly to permit the coil, which is very heavy, to be readily adjusted in place upon it, and I therefore have it adjustable to a horizontal position to enable the coil of wire to be read ily slipped over it by applying the coil while in a vertical position, and from the horizontal position of the reel itis readilyadjustable to its normally-vertical position.

The construction of the reel involves a hub w, having a center post 0 and radially-extending arms which may be connected near their extremities by a hoop c and which support, near the hub, the vertical posts c", forming, with the post 0, the core for the coil of wire IV. The posts 0 are connected in pairs near their upper ends, and thus braced by metal bars c, and diagonally by bars 0, laterally from which project the studs 0, and which form a center bearing 0 for the upper end of the central post 0, and the adjacent members of opposite pairs of the posts 0 are further interbraced by the bars These latter afford, each at one end, with the adjacent end of a brace-bar bearing for a journal c", extending through the bifurcated upper end of a post, the journals supporting arms 0 normally extending horizontally, as shown by full lines, to form an upper eonfinement for the coil of wire, being held in such position by the studs c, entering sockets c in the arms 0 near their inner ends. The arms 6 are adapted to be turned to extend lengthwise of the posts (1*, when the reel is adjusted, to receive the coil into a horizontal position by turning its supporting-bare in its socket 0 on a side of the bed A of the machine, and in which it may be secured by a spring-stud c passed transversely into it through the socket or by other suitable means.

The operation of the machine is as follows:

too

As already stated, the machine is illustrated with the operating parts in the relative positions they assume just after a section of wire \V (which may previously have been formed by the machine into a nail) has been severed by the cutting and pointing dies F. These were actuated for the purpose by the action of the cams C C on the shaftB upon the dieblocks G through the medium of the bent le IO vers H, and the timing of the operations of the parts is such as to cause the severing to take place (slowly when the parts 2: of the cams act against the rollers g) immediately upon the completion of the rapid feed, pro

duced in the manner already described,

through the media of the eccentric 1 on the power-shaft B engaging the angular rock.- ing head I) in a manner to cause the lever D to move the carriage A quickly forward and the (barbing) rollers a and o to feed the wire. The shaft- B has then brought the part (.7. of the cam L against the roller on the arm L to cause through the latter the rockshaft e and arm 0, to permit lowering of the holding-die K, (thus freeing the feed-passage,) to be subsequently raised by the part d to clamp the wire with sufficient firmness to hold it against the strain of the barbing and straightening operations of the mechanism on the slowly-receding carriage A, and

the further eifect of the rotating shaft B has been to advance the header toward the end of the wire to be upset. Further rotation of the power-shaft, besides causing the further separation of the cutting and pointing dies F and backing of the carriage A, will bring the part (I? of the cam L against the arm L to cause it to increase the clamping effect of the holding-dies on the wire while the header 4o completes its stroke and forms the head.

A very important feature of my improvement, where it relates immediately to the operation of the cutting-dies, is that whereby strain is avoided of the arms II at their ends 5 against the reciprocating heads G of the cutting-dies, it will be noticed, on reference to Fig. 1, that when the inner ends of the cutting-dies F are in the act of severing the wire, and to that end are brought closest togetherand are offering the greatest resistance forced farther toward each other than to be brought into such alignment. Therefore there can be no wedging strain of the heads g in their socketsh, tending to fracture the heads G, as there would be were the heads 9 caused to pass such alignment in exerting the great severing strain to which they are subjected.

Provision for different degrees of the clam p ing effect of the wire by the holding-dies is advantageous in enabling strain on the machine to be regulated during its operation,

according to requirement, and thus avoiding excessive strain when not needed, which obviously reduces wear on the machine.

For the smaller sizes ofwire the end of the lever L, having the roller c ,may be adjusted with relation to the cam L by means of a suitable setscrew device A, Fig. 2, thereby to regulate the playof' the die K. \Vhen the head has been formed in the advance movement of the header, (which ismaterially assisted by its weight when inclined, as shown in Fig. -1t, in the direction of its advance movement,) and by the continued rotation of the shaft 13 the header retracted, the wire released from the effect of the part d of the cam L, of which the shallowest part ct is then in contact with the roller 6 permitting the under holding-die K to be separated to the farthest limit from its companion K, and the angular head D actuated (about twice as fast as in the backward straightening and barbing movement of the carriage A) to rapidly feed another length of the wire terminating in the already-formed head referred to, the cams O C are again in position to actuate the dies F to sever gradually the length so fed and point it at its severed extremity.

As usual, at knock-off attachment N is provided to follow in its operation that of the cutting-dies. I form a knock-off or striker device N for my improved machine, preferably of the details shown, (say most clearly in Fig. t,) and comprising a bar Z), supported pivotally to extend lengthwise of the machine toward the cutting-dies on posts I) and longitudinally extensible, as by means of the rod 5 inserted into its extremity and held by a setscrew b3. The knock-off tool proper Ct extends downward in line with the wire at the cutting-dies from a suitable s pport (0 on the extensible rod 12 passing through a guide-socket a on a rod a, supported and longitudinally adjustable and controlled by a set-screw a in the socket at the center of the bar 9 connecting the posts H. The rod Z) is controlled to return the knockoff or striker device to its normal position by a spring Ct", extending against it from the socket g and a cam Z)", adjustably supported on the rod Z) near the shaft B is struck to actuate the knock-off by a finger b on the link 10, arranged to be actuated by the shaft B just after it has produced the severing operation of the dies F.

The foregoing minute description is considered necessary to enable my improved machine and the manner ofits operation to be clearly comprehended, owing to the somewhat intricate nature thereof. I do not, however, wish to be understood as intending to limit my invention to mere details of construction, as they may in various instances be changed without thereby departing from my inven-. tion.

hat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a wire-nail machine, the combination,

with the rotary power-shaft, of a reciprocating carriage suitably connected with the powt er-shaft and supporting wire straighteningand feeding mechanism and reciprocating in the opposite directions by the rotation of the shaft at different rates of speed--namel v., slower for the straightening and faster tor. the feeding-with a varying stroke according to the length of wire to be fed, substantially as described.

2. In a wire-nail machine, the combination, with the rotary power-shaft, ot' a rec'procating carriage suitably connected with the pewer-shaft and supporting wire-straightening rollers, and wire barbing or feeding rollers operated by the backward movement of the carriage, the said shaft in its rotation ogerating through the medium of its said connection with the carriage to reciprocate the latter in the opposite directions at dilt'erent rates of speed-namely, slower for the straightening and barbing operations and faster for the feeding-and with a varying stroke according to the length of wire to be fed, substantially as described.

3. In a wire-nail machine, the combination, with the bed A, of a rotary power-shaft, an angular rocking head l), pivotally supported at its angle and connected from its armp with the power-shaft cceentrically thereof, and a reciprocating carriage A, supporting the wire straightening and feeding met-hanism and connected with the arm of the said head I), substantially as described.

at. In a wire-nail machine, the combination, with the bed A, of a rotary power-shaft It, having an eccentric y near one end, an angular rocking head D,tormed with an arm p, having a guide, and an arm 1), and pivotally supported on the bed between the two said arms, a washer y in the guide ot the arm 1! and connected with the eccentric 1 a reciprocating carriage A, carrying the wire straightening and feeding mechanism at the rear end of the machine, a lever D fulcrumed between its extremities and engaging at one end with the said carriage, and a link 1)", connecting the said lever from its opposite end with the arm 1) of the rocking head i), substantially as described.

5. In a wire-nail machine, the combination, with the bed A, of a rotary power-shaft 1;, having an eccentric 1/ near one end, an an gular rocking head 1), formed with arms 1) and j), containing guides, and pivotally supported on the bed between the two said arms, a washer y in the guide of the arm 1: and connected with the eccentric 1 a nut f on a screw p in the guide of the arm 1), a reciprocating carriage A, carrying the wire straightening and feeding mechanism at the .rear end of the machine and provided with a hollow head at in a recess 21/", a lever D t'ulcrumed between its extremities and engaging at one end with the head at, and a link D, connecting the said lever from its opposite end with the nut p",substantially as described.

(I. in a wire-nail machine, the combination, with the bed A, supporting the wire severing and heading mechanisms, of a reciprocating carriage A and a wire-straightening attachment: E for straightening the wire in a vertical direction, pivotallysupported on the carriage and adjustable on its support through a vertical plane to dit't'erent angles from its normal perpci'idieuiar position, substantially as described.

7. In a wire-nail machine, the combination, with the bed A, supporting wire severing and heading mechanisms, of a reciprocating carriage A and a wire-straightening attachment i l, comprising a frame 1?, pivotally supported on the carriage to permit its adjustincnt by swinging it on its ivot from its normal perpendicular position through a vertical plane, and having journaled within it rollers s and s, one above the other, at opposite sides ot the line of feed of the wire \V, substantially as described.

S. In a wire-nail machine, the combination, with the bed lnsupporting wire severing and heading mechanisms, of a reciprocating carriage A, a wire-straightening attachment E, comprising a frame I, journaled on the carriage to permit its adjustment through avertieal plane and having journaled within it rollers s and s, one above the other in adjustable bearings s" and 5", provided with means for adjusting them, a handle s on a supporting-journat of the frame I, and a vertically-disposed segmental rack s, engaged by the handle, substantially as described.

it. In a wire-nail machine, the combination, with the bed A,supporting wire severing and heading mechanisms, of a reciprocating carriage A", supporting a pair of horizontallydisposed straightening-rollers (1 at one side of the line of feed of the wire \V, and at the opposite side thereof a similarlydisposed roller on a sliding bearing having a rectangular opening q" in its outer end, and an eccentric confined in the said opening and controlled from a handle q, substantially as described.

10. In a wire-nail machine, the con'ibination, with the bed A, supporting wire severing and heading mechanisms, of a reciprocating carriage A, supporting a pair of horizontallydisposcd straightening-rollcrs at one side of the line of feed of the wire \V, and at the opposite side thereof a similarlydisposed roller (l in a sliding bearing having a rectangular opening in its extension a head eontincd in the said opening and provided eccentrically with a pivot-pin If, a handle q [or the head, and a horizontally-disposed segmental rack for securing the handle, substantially as described.

ll. In a wire-nail machine, the combination, with the bed A, supporting wire severing and heading mechanisms, of a reciprocating carriage A, a wire-straightening attachment E for straightening the wire in a vertical direction, and comprising a frame t, j ournaled on the carriage to permit its adjustment through a vertical plane, and having j ourn aled within it rollers s and 8, one above the other, at opposite sides of the line of feed of the wire and horizontally-dispo ed straightening-rollers, comprising apair g at one side of the said line of feed and an intermediate roller g at the opposite side thereof on a sliding bearing (1 and an eccentric engaging the sliding bearing g and provided with a handle (18, from which to control the adjustment of the roller q, substantially as described.

12. In a wire-nail machine, the combination, with the bed A, supporting wire severing and heading mechanisms, of a reciprocating carriage A, provided with wire-straightening rollers and supporting in advance of the straightening-rollers a pair of horizontallydisposed barbing-feed rollers 0, journaled in slidingly-adjustable bearings in a recess formed transversely in the carriage-bed and terminating at its opposite ends in boxshaped bearings 0 having upward-proj ecting tongues 0 a confining-ring 0 surrounding the said tongues 0 and set-screws 0 extended against the said sliding bearings through the ends of the bearings 0 substantially as described.

13. In a wire-nail machine, the combination, with the bed A and rotary power-shaftl3,s11pported thereon, of the vertical clamping-die K and vertically-reciprocating clamping-die K, and a cam L, having differential peripheral camsurfaces (Z, (Z, and (1 straight or substantially straight where they merge one into the other, thereby to avoid pounding, the differential cam-surfaces controlling the degree of clamping effect with relation to the line of feed of the wire XV of the die K through suitable intermediate lever mechanism, substantially as described.

14. In a wire-nail machine, the combination, with the bed A, supporting a rotary powershaft B, Wire severing and heading mechanisms, and a reciprocating carriage A, carrying wire straightening and feeding devices, of a vertical clamping-die K, extending toward the upper side of the line of feed of the wire \V, a vertically-reciprocating clamping-die K below the die K at the opposite side of the said line of feed, a rock-shaft e eccentrically from which the die K is supported, an arm L, extending from the rock-shaftto the power-shaft B, and a cam L on the powershaft engaging with the arm L and having the differential peripheral cam-surfaces (Z, d, and d substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

15. In a wire-nailmachine, the combination, with the bed A, supporting a rotary powershaft B, wire severing and heading mechanisms, and a reciprocating carriage A, carrying wire straightening and feeding devices, of a stationary vertically-adjustable clampingdie K, extending toward the upper side of the line of feed of the wire W, a vertically-reciprocating clamping-die K below the die K at the opposite side of the said line of feed, a

rock-shaft e havingan arm e extending from it and supporting the die K and elastically controlled by a spring e near its free end, an arm L, extending from the rock-shaft to the power-shaft B and provided with a roller 6", and a cam L on the power-shaft engaging with the roller 6 and having the differential peripheral cam-surfaces (Z, d, and (1 substantially as described.

16. In a wire-nailmachinc having the cutting-dies, their operating-levers, and the driving-shaft, the cams herein described, having gradual and uniform increase in pitch, changing at a predetermined point on the cam to a slight pitch in the same direction and then gradually decreasing in pitch, whereby the operation of the cutting-dies in one direction is first rapid and then slow to perform the cutting and severing operation at a slower speed than the remaining movement of the dies, substantially as described.

17. The combination of a severing-die F for a wirenail machine and a die-block G therefor, having a socket 7')? for the die, and an outward-flaring opening in its face leading into the die-socket, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

18. The combination of a severingdle P for a wire-nail machine, a die-block G therefor, having a socket 7L2 for the die, and an outward-flaring opening in its face leading into the die-socket, a set-screw h for controlling the die in a transverse direction, and a setscrew 71 bearing against the rear end of the die, substantially as described.

19. A wire-nail machine comprising, in combination, a bed A, supporting the rotary powershaft 13, having a crank w between its extremities, a cam L near one end, provided with differential peripheral cam-surfaces (Z, d, and [1 an eccentric y at its opposite end, and intermediate cams C and C, an angular rocking head D, pivotally supported at its angle and having its arm 1) engaged by the said eccentric 'y through the medium of the sliding washer 3 a reciprocating carriage A, supported at the rear end of the machine and carrying straightening and feeding devices, a lever D engaging at one end with the carriage and connected from its opposite end by a link D with the arm 19 of the device D, a vertical clamping-die K, and a vertical spring-controlled reciprocating clamping-die K ,a rock-shaft c having an arm e,supporting the die K, and an arm L, extending from the said rock-shaft into engagement with the cam L, cutting-dies F, supported in reciprocating die-blocks G, and levers H, fulcrumed between their extremities and engaging at corresponding ends with the die-blocks, and provided at their opposite ends with rollers g, engaging the cams G and C, the whole being constructed and arranged to operate substantially as described.

20. In a wire-nail machine, the combination with the bed A, supporting the power-shaft B, 

